US companies tweak diversity policies as challenges mount

Reuters

US companies tweak diversity policies as challenges mount

Sep 3, 2024 at 6:12 pm GMT

<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><title>FACTBOX-US companies tweak diversity policies as challenges mount</title></head><body>

Adds Molson Coors

Sept 3 (Reuters) -More U.S. companies are modifying their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs meant to boost racial and ethnic representation at workplaces amid rising pressure from conservative groups.

At least six major U.S. companies, including JPMorgan Chase JPM.N, modified their DEI policies last year, according to a Reuters review of corporate statements.

Here is a list of companies that have either dropped the DEI program or made tweaks to some of the policies in 2024:

Company	Statement
Starbucks SBUX.O	In March, the coffee giant's shareholders voted for an executive compensation plan that dropped a bonus related to DEI goals.
Tractor Supply TSCO.O	The company in late June said that it would no longer submit data to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), which advocates for LGBTQ rights. Tractor Supply also said it would eliminate DEI roles and retire its current DEI goals.
Deere DE.N	The company said in July it would not participate in or support external social or cultural awareness parades, festivals, or events. The farm equipment maker also reaffirmed that the existence of diversity quotas and pronoun identification have never been and are not company policy.
Harley-Davidson HOG.N	In August, the motorcycle manufacturer said it would not participate in the HRC survey and had ended its DEI initiatives.
Brown-Forman Bfb.N	The Jack Daniel's maker said it would ensure executive incentives and employee goals are tied to business performance, end participation in the HRC survey and scrap its quantitative workforce and supplier diversity goals.
Lowe's LOW.N	The home improvement chain will no longer participate in HRC surveys and will combine its various business resource groups that represent diverse employees into one umbrella organization. Lowe's said in August it would not sponsor or participate in community events such as parades, festivals, or fairs.
Ford Motor F.N	The automaker said it will change its DEI program, including ending participation in an LGBTQ advocacy group's ranking system.
Molson Coors Beverage TAP.N	The beer maker said it will end participation in the HRC index, and will tie executive incentives to business performance and not aspirational representation goals beginning next year.